This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UWM chapter.
If you are anything like me, you need to spend a little time every day in a peaceful setting. Especially now, as finals are lurking around the corner, we need all the help we can get! By creating a soft and inviting environment around you, there is not doubt that you will begin to unwind, even if it’s only for 20 minutes. Here are my favorite steps to guide any relaxation-seeker towards a comforting night in:
- Candles, candles, and more candles. This is the most obvious way to soften your surroundings. Watching a flickering flame is undeniably soothing, not to mention that candles give off yummy scents that full the room. I will often times light 2 or 3 candles around my room to provide a lovely glow.
- Salt rocks. If you haven’t hopped on the salt rock bandwagon, the time is now! My salt rock is plugged in 24/7. I won’t admit to needing a night-light, but if I didn’t have my salt rock, I would notice its absence!
- Wax-melters. Wax melting is a more recent fad that is a longer lasting alternative to burning traditional candles. Most wax-melters melt their wax with a mini light bulb, adding the glow of a real candle without the fire hazard!
- Essential oils. Whether you rub them on your temples or add them to a diffusor, essential oils are proven to have many mental and physical benefits. Plus they smell great. Aromatherapy is a sure way to relax and enjoy the space you’re in. Another way to diffuse your oils is by adding droplets to a ceramic block. It isn’t the most common method, but this is a great way to travel with a diffuser.
- Hot tea. I begin and end every day with a hot cup of tea. While my tea is steeping, I get to enjoy the delicious smell of my cozy cup. If I am trying to relax, I love to drink chamomile or Throat Coat tea. There is no denying the comfort that a warm drink can give you!
- A hot bath. Of course, this may not fit into a conventional definition of “ambience therapy,” but the benefits of a hot bath definitely fall under the category of relaxation. I love using various bath salts, bath bombs, scrubs, and soaps that mix with the hot steam of the water, creating a dreamy cloud of lovely scents.
- Twinkly Christmas lights. A twinkling strand of lights will never go out of season. Every room in my apartment is equipped with one or more strands hung on the walls. If you’re a fan of dim lighting, this is the solution for you. After the sun goes down, my apartment is aglow until bedtime.
Whether you use one or all of these quick fixes, you will surely be relaxed. We are all deserving of rest, peace, and comfort. Treat yo’self 2017, y’all!